Hendon Driving School replacement

As part of the development of the Hendon site, and the need to replace the life expired Driving School facilities, this paper proposes the creation of a new driving school on part of the Rowan Drive section of the site, at a cost of up to £10m. The cost will be funded from the disposal of the existing driving school site and the remainder of the Rowan Drive site.

The DMPC is asked to approve
1. the works to create a new driving school at a total estimated cost of up to £10m,
2. the release £9.2m for design and main construction works,
3. the initiation of procurement for both pre-construction design services and a main contractor, with delegation to the MPS Director of Strategic Procurement to award contracts, subject to MOPAC call in, and
4. subject to 1 and 2 above, the marketing and disposal of the existing driving school site and the remainder of the Rowan Drive site at the values set out in Part 2

1. Introduction and background

1.1 When MOPAC approved the redevelopment of the Hendon site and the disposal of the surplus land, it was recognised that further work was necessary to consider the future of the Driving School at Hendon. A 1 hectare plot of land was retained for the Driving School subject to agreeing its future strategy.

1.2 This paper sets out a proposal for the future of the driving school, and the land associated with it.

2 Issues for consideration

2.1 The land retained for the Driving School as well as training/briefing rooms for the driving school, training areas and covered parking included a number of other functions including a strategic fuel reserve facility, rooms for Emergency Life Saving training, a file repository and a training room for the Home Office National Centre for Applied Learning Technologies (NCALT).

2.2 Alternative future locations have been identified for each of the non-driving school functions as set out in Appendix 1.

2.3 The Driving School is not fit for purpose with the building in poor condition, too large and underutilized. A number of options for the re-provision of the school were considered and this proposed option is to redevelop part of Rowan Drive to provide a new driving school and release the existing driving school location and the remainder of Rowan Drive. The proposals do require changes to the boundaries previously agreed with Redrow who are supportive of the changes.

2.4 The forensics drying and storage facilities currently located elsewhere at Hendon could not be accommodated in the new Hendon training facilities due to the proximity of the firing range to the new building. The opportunity has been taken to incorporate this function within the Driving School building. MPS acknowledge that there will be a need for new ways of working in order for these proposals to be successful, and that they have the ability to increase volume to respond to increased capacity.

2.5 Proposals for the use of driving simulators to enhance training are under consideration, and the proposed design of the Driving School has allowed for simulators to be incorporated cost effectively, if required.

2.6 Subject to approval to the new driving school it is proposed that the existing site is disposed of and that the land at Rowan Drive not required for the driving school is also disposed of. The capital receipts anticipated to be generated will more than fund the cost of the new driving school.

3 Financial Comments

3.1 The total cost of the redevelopment to create the new Driving School is estimated at £10m. The costs will be met from the proposed disposals of the existing driving school site and the remaining part of Rowan Drive. The estimated receipts arising from the disposal of the surplus sites is set out in Part 2.

3.2 Approval for a sum of £9.2m is requested to be released to enable the design and main contract works to be procured. The balance of the sum, £0.8m, is to be retained as a contingency to support a future bid for vehicle simulators which is under consideration to be co-located at the Driving School.

3.3 Annual revenue costs of £400k will with effect from 2017/18 be saved as a result of this proposal. This will contribute to the Corporate Real Estate savings target.

4 Legal Comments

4.1 Section 6 of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 (“the Act”) provides that MOPAC must secure the maintenance of the Metropolitan Police Force, and secure that the Metropolitan Police Force is efficient and effective.

4.2 In carrying out its functions, the MOPAC may, under paragraph 7, Schedule 3 of the Act do anything which is calculated to facilitate, or is conducive or incidental to, the exercise of the functions of the Office. This includes, entering into contracts and other agreements, in addition to acquiring and disposing of property (including land).

4.3 The additional works and services referred to within this Report will be required to be procured strictly in accordance with the Public Contract Regulations 2015 and the MOPAC’s Contract Regulations. MOPAC may utilise a framework agreement that is accessible to it to procure goods/services in a manner that is compatible with regulations and in this instance has chosen to tender works against the MPS Professional Services Framework and Southern Construction Framework (for which the MPS has secured MOPAC’s approval by sealing the SCF User Agreement as a deed giving MPS access to the framework).

4.4 The MOPAC Scheme of Delegation and Consent (Sept 2014) requires the DMPC to approve all business cases and requests to go to tender where the value exceeds £500K. The Scheme gives delegated authority to the Director of Strategic Procurement to approve the award of all contracts with the exception of those called in through the agreed call in procedure. The DMPC must be notified in writing of the outcome of the tender process for all contracts in excess of £500K.

4.5 The use of the Southern Construction Framework (formally the IESE framework) is compliant to MOPAC requirements.

4.6 MOPAC has the power to dispose of surplus properties (including land) under paragraph 7 (2) (b) of Schedule 3 of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 (“the Act”). Furthermore, paragraph 7(1) of Schedule 3 of the Act allows the MOPAC to do anything which is calculated to facilitate or is conducive or incidental to the exercise of the functions of the office. Schedule 4(5) of the Act states the Commissioner must exercise the power of direction and control in such a way as is reasonable to assist the MOPAC to exercise that Office’s functions.

4.7 The report confirms the recommended option represents the best option that will support the delivery of a leaner estate which is lower in cost to run and is fit for purpose complying with modern standards, and will therefore assist MOPAC securing the maintenance of the Metropolitan Police Force, and ensure that it is efficient and effective, as required under Section 3(6) (b) of the Act.

4.8 The Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime may under the MOPAC Scheme of Consent and Delegation (‘Scheme’) approve all disposals of properties with an estimated value of £1 million or above on a case by case basis before the property is marketed. Following approval, the MPS Director of Property Services may dispose of the property to the highest bidder where the price equals or exceeds the agreed estimate, notifying the MOPAC in writing of the disposal. The MPS Director of Property Services may under the Scheme undertake the day to day management of the MPS property function, including approval of leases up to £500,000 over the lifetime of the lease. The MOPAC has the power to dispose of surplus properties (including land) under paragraph 7 (2) (b) of Schedule 3 of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 (“the Act”) . Furthermore, paragraph 7(1) of Schedule 3 of the Act allows the MOPAC to do anything which is calculated to facilitate or is conducive or incidental to the exercise of the functions of the office. Schedule 4(5) of the Act states the Commissioner must exercise the power of direction and control in such a way as is reasonable to assist the MOPAC to exercise that Office’s functions.

5. Equality Comments

5.1 No equality and diversity impacts have been identified